In Egypt, a Rare Problem for a World Leader

It seems that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi can't win. In April, he oversaw a deal to transfer control of the Red Sea islands of Sanafir and Tiran from Egypt to Saudi Arabia in hopes that the agreement would win Cairo economic concessions, finance and investment. But the measure met with stiff public opposition and sparked protests. A judge annulled the deal on June 21, stating that the islands near the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba "should remain part of Egyptian territory." Now Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court is set to hear an appeal of that decision on June 26. But even if the ruling is overturned, it still represents a political blow to al-Sisi. Though an unfavorable ruling would not necessarily cause Saudi Arabia to waver in its support for al-Sisi's government, the case could further embolden opposition groups and strain the president's popular support. ...